Before January is Over

Since I only posted once in December, I'm going to try and play catch up with Christmas before January is over !

A little decor and a couple of crafts.

The tree that never changes, even though I'd like it to sometimes !

I love those beautifully decorated, classically beautiful trees, but I keep coming back to tradition.

The Starbucks tree, that has hardly any room for anything ! When I first did this tree, 15 or so years ago, I just had the "popcorn" balls, and little Starbucks sample cups the I hung all over. Then came the popcorn garland and wooden candy canes. Then, some little kitchen ornaments and tiny mittens. And when those little vintage trailers started coming out? Oh my ! Now instead of the cups, I have real Starbucks ornaments  and cute gift cards from all over. This year I added the big, ball lights.

My office tree. Forgot to take one with the lights on !

I got the picture this year, at Grandiflora , and I got the scooter at a Junk show.

I got that little red chair at the same show, and the bucket at the Farmchicks show. I painted the table this year too.

Tiny view of the hutch. I was not on my "picture game" this year !

The other table I painted ...

The entry, with my first real chalkboard that I "copied" all by myself !

I did a few crafts this year too ! I've had these Starbucks cards for a few years now. They give all their decor away after Christmas, or sell it for pennies, and I put my name on these right away !

I wanted a little decor for my guest room so I took some frames and painted them, and then I strung the cards and taped the string to the frames. So simple !

I put them on the board and batten ledge around the room.

I also glittered some vintage cookie cutters ... that was really fun ! I do enjoy an evening of glittering!

This was a fun craft too ! Trying to find the old cars took awhile, but was worth it !

Just some cars in a jar with a little snow in it !

I decided to glitter the lid of this one, and I added some string and bells too.

I know I have some photos on my phone, but I don't have the energy to dig through them !  Besides, this is pretty boring now that Christmas is over !

A few more Christmas posts (I hope) and then I can get on to something else !

Christmas Bunco 2013~Favorite Things

Our Christmas Bunco is always so much fun and this year was no exception! We always combine November and December and have two hosts instead of one. Things get so hectic around the holidays that this seems to work out best for everyone. Plus, the anticipation builds for two months instead of one!

This year was hosted by Kristi and Lydia and they did an amazing job! Wonderful appetizers, an incredible dinner and a beautiful and delicious dessert. I must say that we always eat quite well at Bunco!!

Lydia served these delicious candy cane drinks ~ so festive !

Kristi made a wonderful dinner ~ a wonderful salad, corn cups, rice and chicken cordon bleu ~ everything tasted so good !

These desserts were so pretty and festive. A meringue base with whipped cream and fresh berries.

The girls did a "Favorite Things" theme with each of us bringing four of our favorite things with a limit of $5 each. Then we drew names and numbers and spread the gifts throughout the evening.

I wish I had gotten pictures of all the gifts, but I was too busy enjoying the moment !

Jolene and Carol ~

Annetta and Nancy ~

Deb and Lydia ~

Linda and Jolene ~

Karen and myself ~

Annetta and Carol ~

Karen, me, Nancy and Lee ~

Ellen, Annetta, Carol and Linda ~

Kristi and Ellen ~

Gifts of chocolate and ice cream ~

Soaps, lotions, coffee's and wine ~

Cards, mugs, and cocoa ~

Coffee cards, decorations and candles ~

Wonderful gifts, wonderful food, wonderful ladies, all who share the love of Jesus.

Friends, prayer warriors, mamas, amazing women !

I love you all ~ Merry Christmas Girls !

Does It Have to be Over?

Does it have to be over? What if I don't want it to end? The magic, the smells, the twinkling lights...that feeling of anticipation~I wish it could last forever!

But, alas, I think it's all coming down this weekend. I'm mostly ready! To tidy the house, have a blank slate, think of some fun new decorating ideas and displays. I have LOVED Christmas...the entire month leading up to it and the day of and days after! This has been my most joyous December since I was a little girl!!! I was determined to enjoy each and every minute and by golly, I did!!!!

From the decorating to baking, train rides and get-togethers, shopping and visiting, wrapping and the Music (I LOVE the music!),  Christmas Eve candlelight service, to the snow on Christmas day, I have relished each moment!

I haven't blogged, but I've been reading everyone else's!! I'm always so impressed with the way people decorate and craft...so inspiring!

So here's a little tour of my home, before it all goes away!

The past few years I keep saying it's time to change up the tree...but then I pull out all the ornaments and love it all over again!

 I need to make new stockings now...why didn't I think ahead all those years ago for my children's spouses???!!! (if anyone has this fabric in their stash...let me know!)

My bucket of snowballs~

The Starbucks tree that seems to accumulate more and more stuff every year!

The stair landing...time for some new lights!

The laundry room got a new look!

Some fine, first grade style art by yours truly!

I put a tree in the office this year and loved it!!! Kind of whimsical!

Above the front door~

The same old trees in the sewing room....but I love them!

The quilt I made for Tyler, when he was two.

A little vignette in the entryway~

Sparkle!

S'more tree!

I had a bare table and an unused sled so I came up with this a few weeks ago!

My sweet grammy made the snowflake garland the first year I was married!

My new favorite tree~the master bedroom. I saw this tree at a thrift store this year and as soon as I heard the price ($20.00!) I scooped it up! It's so hard to get an accurate picture, but it is gorgeous!!!

I had some of the ornaments, balls mostly, but got quite a few for bargain prices at Kohl's. I got the twig garland and candles at Grandiflora. The flocking on this looks like the tree just came from the mountains!

 It's the last thing I turn off every night!

The kitchen gets dolled up too!

I painted the inside of my hutch this year (don't know why I never did it before!) It's a Martha Stewart piece that I got at a garage sale and the interior was originally blue, which I changed to green. Why? I love the cream! And dear hubby wired it for lights. Instead of putting them on the top, we put a light at the bottom of each shelf. I really like the light effect  and also that I can hide them!

My husband is also a little more talented in the chalk art than I am! He does them for fun...all free hand!

Anyway, this one says it all!!!

 Blessings to all of you in this wonderful, new year!